#Bluehaven

[bogcreacher]

leaders, deputies and healers (redraw)

huge, and I mean MASSIVE infodump under the cut, watch out!!

LEADERS

Palestar (she/her), Leader of Stormclan - Palestar’s backstory is one shrouded in mystery. All that is known about her ascent to leadership is that she killed the previous Stormclan leader - Creekstar - who was known as a callous tyrant. Rumours ooze around the festering wound that Creekstar left in her clan, and whilst her fellow leaders are viciously curious about the events that lead to her annointment as leader, Palestar is thoroughly tight-lipped about it all. 

Ouzelstar (he/him), Leader of Snowclan - A traditionalist and a shithead. Ouzelstar was a virulent warrior, intent on keeping his clan free from anything he believed would threaten the tradition that Snowclan had supposedly stood on for so many years. As leader, his cutthroat attitude has calmed a bit, mostly due to his fears over dividing his clan any further - though he is not above putting down cats he deems ‘lesser’, such as his deputy, Kestrel, whom he named Half-face. 

Dapplestar, (he/him) Leader of Gladeclan - The oldest of the leaders and a gentle soul. Dapplestar has had the fortune of leading Gladeclan through many of its most comfortable seasons, and as such has adopted a very mellow outlook on life. His indecisive attitude has troubled them, however, when choosing deputies. After struggling for many moons with cats who wanted to abuse power and ignore duties (or those who were very obviously just waiting for him to keel over), he sought guidance from his ancestors. Lionsong was appointed deputy after Starclan named him as the future saviour of the clan. Knowing that a prophecy has named Lionsong as his successor, and confident in his abilities to lead, Dapplestar is ready to retire and live out the last of his days in the warmth of his clan. 

Sandstar (they/them), Leader of Meadowclan - It is difficult to describe Sandstar without using the word ‘bitchy’. Taking their assessment at an exceptionally young age and then going on to become deputy and leader, Sandstar has earned the confidence and precedence they carry themselves with - not that it doesn’t annoy their fellow leaders somewhat. Despite all their pride and gumption, they regularly find themselves bored by the toils of leadership and often delegate their duties to their worrywart deputy, Ravenshine. They have two mates, Mothswoop and Appledawn. 

DEPUTIES

Bluehaven (he/him), Stormclan’s Deputy - In the aftermath of Creekstar’s rule and Palestar’s rise to power, Stormclan was weakened and divided. In-fighting began to stir between those who supported and those who opposed Palestar’s leadership, and to quell this discord Palestar appointed Bluehaven, one of her most outspoken opposers, as deputy. Despite his objections to her leadership, Bluehaven was shaken by Palestar’s decision, initially believing it to be a trick, and later, a test of his loyalty. He warmed up to his new role after Palestar made further efforts to rebuild her clan, including pardoning exiled cats and banning the murder of rogues (an action that Creekstar had permitted). Nowadays his relationship with Palestar is tense but professional - though there are rumours she only made him deputy because she knows he won’t usurp her like she had to Creekstar. 

Kestrel (he/him), Snowclan’s Deputy - Kestrel was born in Stormclan to Pineshadow and an unknown father. Not long before his apprentice ceremony, his mother fled their home, taking him to Snowclan. There, Ouzelstar took him in, whilst his mother was turned away into the frozen wilds. From a young age Kestrel demonstrated an intuition and selflessness beyond his age - he was left significantly scarred after defending his clanmate from a badger. Though most of his clanmates afforded him sympathy and admiration for this action, there were others who were angered by it - namely Ouzelstar, who would give Kestrel the warrior name ‘Half-face’. Kestrel went on to become deputy after Thawflank stepped down to care for his son and grieve his mate, and remained in the role long after this once Ouzelstar realised his competency far exceeded Thawflank’s (and he didn’t argue with him like Thawflank did). As deputy, he puts his duties above all else, especially any personal grudges he might harbour. 

Lionsong (he/him), Gladeclan’s Deputy - Lionsong suffered a rough childhood, one that he still occasionally blames himself for. Having lost both his parents at a young age, in different ways, Lionsong grew up under the guidance of his mentor, Brightnettle. As an adult, Lionsong has committed himself to serving his clan to the best of his ability, and is known by his clanmates to be resolute but compassionate - making him a perfect candidate for deputy. Having been named by Starclan as the ‘saviour of his clan’, Lionsong wonders what lies in his future, and whether his future role as leader could clash with the actions required of a hero. He has a mate named Ashfall. 

Ravenshine (she/her), Meadowclan’s Deputy - Born a kittypet and abandoned by her owners, Ravenshine struggled to adapt to a life of scavenging on the streets of her twoleg-place. She found Meadowclan after trying her luck hunting in the fringes of the town and stumbling across a border patrol. Desperate and hungry, she was prepared to fight these new, strange cats for her dinner, but was surprised when they invited her to their clan. She found the warrior life suited her well (though she is prone to sunburn more than the average Meadowclan cat, due to her lack of fur) and quickly earned the trust of Sandstar. She enjoys organisation and strategising, both of which make her suited to her role as deputy - though she does have a bad habit of over-worrying, something that isn’t helped by her leader’s lackadaisical antics. She has a crush on her clanmate, Flaxeneye. 

HEALERS

Lichenfrost (she/her), Stormclan’s Healer - Lichenfrost is unusually friendly for a Stormclan cat. She was apprenticed to Frostwhisker, a key figure in the turmoil Stormclan experienced under Creekstar’s leadership, until his brutal death at the claws of a clanmate. Lichenfrost was understandably devastated, having witnessed it with her own eyes, and struggled for many moons as her clan’s sole healer. Whilst the bright sting of shock has long since left, she still finds herself struggling under the weight of her grief from time to time, a feeling she mostly tries to battle with a warm smile and a good talk, and maybe only occasionally some poppyseed. 

Berrystem (she/her), Snowclan’s Healer - Berrystem apprenticed under Cedarsmoke, a quiet and often unsettling cat. Almost as soon as she had earned her name, he left the clan, saying goodbye only to her. As an apprentice, Berrystem was fiercely passionate about her duties, finding solace in healing clanmates and peace in having time to herself - not to mention, a small part of her was both humbled and thrilled by the importance of her role. As she got older, however, her devotion began to waver - and almost faltered completely when the Blight hit her clan. After the death of both her apprentice, Mumblepaw, and her brother’s mate, Tumblestone, Berrystem travelled to the Peak and begged her ancestors for something, anything she could do to save her clanmates. She was met with silence. Distraught and hopeless, Berrystem started avoiding her clanmates out of guilt, spending all her time in her den tending to the dying. When the Blight finally began to clear in the warmer months, the damage was done; their small clan was smaller and Berrystem believed it was all due to her. Losing her brother to his grief and her friends to their duties, Berrystem found an unlikely bond with the only other cat who felt ostracised from the clan; Martenfur. The two would soon form a warm friendship, with Martenfur often helping Berrystem fetch those herbs that were just a little too tall for her to reach. 

Littleshadow (she/her), Gladeclan’s Healer - Littleshadow became a healer far later in her life than most cats. She was 40 moons when the clan’s current healer, Duskfoot, died suddenly in a dog attack. Having been the only cat with a higher-than-average knowledge of herbs and remedies, Littleshadow stepped in to help her clan. Trained mostly by Beechbark, Littleshadow quickly learnt the ways of a healer and took up the role full-time - leaving her mate, Cindertail, behind. 

Beechbark (he/him), Meadowclan’s Healer - Beechbark is the oldest of the current healers, having outlived not only his mentor but the clan’s previous leader. Despite this, he refuses to pick an apprentice on the principle that none of his clan’s current young ‘uns show enough respect and diligence for his liking. His clanmates fear that he’ll die before taking an apprentice, and his clan will be left healer-less like Gladeclan had been. Little do they know, Beechbark fears that if his clan has a newer, younger healer then they’ll see no use for him, and usher him off to the elder’s den. He’s not ready to give up his role just yet. 

[brokenbowluxurycabins]

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[queensherlocks]

we will be a family

[am-i-a-failure-if-i-dont-try]

Ooh, and the plot unfolds. Since it's Blüdhaven with a focus on Jason and Dick - perhaps the talons are getting ready for some wide scale attack and needed someone to distract the pesky vigilantes. Firefly was only too happy to oblige (and probably has his own scheme going on). The undead squad: activate! (With surprise special guest, Grundy.)

after the whole reconciliation with jason thing, dick quickly learns that he just CANNOT say certain things around him anymore, ex:

"god it would make things so much easier if _____ just died"

(2 hours later jason comes back and drops an inconspicuous "i don't think _____ will cause you trouble anymore)

or

"i wish someone would knock some sense into _____"

dick, patrolling later on realises, that particular person hasn't caused any trouble around the city for a few days, and asks jason about it, to which he gets a:

"oh i got some goons to go issue him a 'warning'."

[amibrazen]

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[bluehavenfrenchbulldogs]

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[dibator]

Writing With Your Muse: A Guide to Creative Inspiration by critically acclaimed author, W.L. HAWKIN

Writing With Your Muse A Guide to Creative Inspiration  A spiritual guide of creativity by critically acclaimed author, W.L. HAWKIN  Released and published by Bluehaven Press! The book will be available worldwide in digital and print January 2024  Writing with your Muse offers techniques, strategies, tools, tips, and stories to help you tap into creative inspiration. You don’t have to be psychic…

[terriwriting]

Possible locations for Gotham, Metropolis, & Smallville

A non-exhaustive list of places to put Gotham, Metropolis, or any other fictional city.

Notes:

Cities need reliable fresh water, transportation, and food.

Wonder Woman doesn't need a city. She already has Paradise Island.

Gotham

I'm more of a Superman fan, so my notes on Gotham are relatively short. Plus Metropolis comes in two variations, while Gotham just needs to be a city that is old enough to have old infrastructure and deep-rooted generational wealth.

Illinois/Indiana:

The Chicago-Gary area is the easiest place to put Gotham if you want to move it away from the East Coast. Hello Kitty Unpretty's Gotham is a Great Lakes city.

New Jersey:

The classic. There are two good places for a fictional city, but the one in the southern area of the state will be noticeably different from canon-Gotham.

The Camden-Rehoboth Bay corridor could be unified by an old canal system. Place Gotham one one end of the canal and Bluehaven (Bludhaven to cynical locals) on the other, according to your preference. Note that the Rehoboth Bay end is mostly mud and silt layered over more mud and silt, so you're probably better off placing Bludhaven here as a smaller city with few major towers. Either end will need extensive drainage (canals, storm drains, aqueducts, and reservoirs), so that's great for the crumbling infrastructure. Remember that if you place Gotham here, Batman's costume needs to be light, not armoured, or he'll be dead in a week from heat stroke.

The New Brunswick-Newark metropolitan area fits the climate we usually see in comics. Maybe throw in Staten Island as a little treat for New jersey.

In either case, the rest of the Justice League calls Batman Tony Soprano behind his back.

New York:

The NYC metro region with no city unification. Gotham is probably Manhattan, plus maybe Staten Island for rich people like Bruce.

Ohio:

A unified Cleveland-Akron-Canton metropolitan area with a higher population, maybe?

Rhode Island

My preferred headcanon: The Newport-Providence metropolitan area as a unified city. Bruce Wayne is old old money, some of the Wayne cousins were involved in the witch trials, and this fits the map published by Mayfair games.

Metropolis

Metropolis comes in two flavours: The more common one where Metropolis is a stand-in for an old East Coast US city, or; The Superman: TAS version where Metropolis is a new city, built under the influence of tech billionaire Lex Luthor. I like both.

If you like Clark and Lex as high school friends, that's not really compatible with a New Metro built by Lex Luthor. There's just not enough time for Lex to build anything more than a small suburb. But Lex could be manoeuvring to take control of Metropolis from his family, or from some other DCU billionaire like Simon Stagg.

Connecticut:

There are two good regions in Connecticut to place a fictional city: The Bridgeport-New Haven region, or; The area between the Connecticut River and Thames River.

The Bridgeport-New Haven version better fits the Old Metropolis version, but can also be used for the New Metro version. If you're going for Old Metro, in reality this area did industrialize before the NYC area (Which was dominated by shipping before it picked up light manufacturing), but the early industrialists didn't invest enough in the trade schools or financial institutions that would have let them keep that early advantage. Have a few mill owners and canal companies invest in engineering schools, have later industrial barons invest in office equipment manufacturing and chemical engineering, and you have your Old Metro. For your New Metro, genius tech billionaire Lex Luthor plants a few factories in the major population centres, buys up golf courses to turn them into company towns with inexpensive mid-density housing, and then uses his political and economic influence to pressure the municipalities to merge into his new Metropolis. This version of the New Metro will have more old architecture, but that's not a bad thing.

The Connecticut River-Thames River region fits either version. For an Old Metro, just have the area invest in trades and technical schools as with the Bridgeport-New Haven region. There are old whaling towns in this area so the region could move into shipbuilding, marine alloys engineering, and later railcars and elevators and escalators. This is an easy place to plant a fictional new city, with a low urban population and lots of farms, golf course, and camp/resort sites to buy out. An ambitious billionaire or group of wealthy investors could start a new urban centre with relative ease.

Delaware:

Most of the Delmarva region is mud. You're not going to build many skyscrapers here. But you could fit some in along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.

A Metropolis on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal would probably be smaller than Metropolis is usually shown as, with maybe two million inhabitants instead of six-eight million. But this is comic books, so go with what feels right to your heart.

This works equally well for New or Old Metro.

New Jersey:

Have Bayonne & Newark industrialize early, deliver Staten Island unto New Jersey, invest heavily in education and financial institutions, unify Bayonne-Newark-Staten Island, and bada-bing bada-boom Lois Lane sounds like Carmela Soprano.

Staten Island isn't necessary, but you gotta put the fancy houses and big parks somewhere.

Works best with the Old Metro approach, but you could also have investors take over the urban area and push a lot of redevelopment.

New York:

There are a couple of good places in New York state for Metropolis.

For a New Metro, try the Chaumont Bay-Guffin Bay region. Access to rail, road, air, and sea shipping, and lots of tradespeople and professionals in nearby cities who are desperate for inexpensive housing.

For an Old Metro, you can't go wrong with a thinly-disguised NYC. Just file off the serial numbers, maybe some new rims, and drive it like you stole it.

Smallville

Generic East Coast:

If you're like me and prefer the feel of Bronze Age Smallville, you might want to keep Smallville as an East Coast town. This is easy. There's no reason for Smallville to be in the same state as Metropolis, so it can be anywhere from Maryland to Massachusetts. Towards the end of the Bronze Age it was generally described as vaguely New Jersey or Pennsylvania. East Coasters can entertain themselves imagining Clark Kent, MetU freshman, trying to order a pork roll and water ice in the Metropolis version of Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop.

Kansas:

The Flint Hills region matches modern continuity and the look of both the Smallville series and Bronze Age comics. Lawrence is a good model.

Special Mention: Susquehanna River

BludBluehaven: Great place for Nightwing to relocate to, regardless of where your Gotham is.

Gotham: Replaces Baltimore and/or Philadelphia as a rail and sea hub.

Metropolis: Great for the New Metro.

Opal City: Gotta go somewhere, and this matches the map DC published.

Smallville: Depends on what version you prefer.

What About The Teen Titans?

Fuck Marv Wolfman, that's what.

[pinkartwitch]

It was a clear summer’s day and Rosalind was on their way to tutor the boy their mother had nearly killed.

   They should have visited Leland sooner, but Rosalind didn’t need to be told that; they already felt terrible about it. Two weeks after Frigga left they received her first note from Bluehaven, and Rosalind decided they’d bring it to their visit with her younger brother. They hadn’t been putting this off on purpose, and the boy had other teachers around, but they’d promised to oversee Leland’s education. 

   For that to happen, Rosalind needed to spend some quality time with him but they had no idea how to do this. What are eight-year-olds like? How does one talk to them? Did Leland even care about magic or would he rather get messy in the dirt like his sister?

(Leland's Tutor, a short in the Blood and Thorns series)

As anyone that follows me may know, I have a book called Blood and Thorns! But what you may not know is it's not just a book! It's a series that includes (at present) 1 full-sized novel and several shorts that are all available to read for free. This illustration is for the story called "Leland's Tutor", which takes place after the main story, and it's a little short fic about how Rosalind and Leland begin their mentor/mentee relationship. It's very cute and explains a fair amount of magical theory for the universe, so I think it's worth a read. You can find that over on the Blood and Thorns World Anvil page here:

If you like this, please reblog (it really helps artists out!!), leave a like or comment (I love hearing your thoughts, it keeps me drawing), and follow me for more (I update at least once a week) 💖

Available for commissions! For more information, please check out my post here: https://www.tumblr.com/pinkartwitch/739257460225916928/novas-art-commissions

Come along with me to Ozelea, a world bursting with magic and drama! I'm building the world that these characters live in, and you can learn about it in Blood and Thorns: https://pinkchaosstories.tumblr.com/bloodandthorns

[novaalexanderwrites]

Blood and Thorns - Chapter 1 (part 2)

Frigga Thorneheart is set to become the heir of the Honeyshore coven, but when she falls in love with a member of her home’s staff, things get out of hand. Between the blood pacts and secret affairs, Frigga needs to learn how to stand up for what she wants or else lose everything she needs. Will she choose love or duty and what will that choice cost her?

Chapter One - Chores and Nightmares (Read Part One Here) - (See here for a complete list of chapters) **Updated May 16 **Updated August 26

Frigga

   Frigga was so happy to be home and so ready to sleep in her own bed. The staff being excited about her return warmed her heart and she put down a mental note to check in with everyone over the course of the next week. Leland and Sapphire greeted her outside as she’d gotten off the carriage, but she’d circle back and visit with both of them in a bit; she wanted some quiet time first. Travelling from Bluehaven to Honeyshore was an easy road if one was used to travelling, but Frigga was certainly not so the three-day journey home had been tough.

   Doris, the woman Sapphire hired to be her niece’s personal attendant, showed Frigga to her room. It had been redone since she’d been away. It used to be pink and white, but the wallpaper had all been replaced with a light blue floral print that made Frigga think of a inn she’d patronized on her way home. Her king-sized lavender duvet had also been replaced with a royal blue that matched the pillows on the bench near her windows. At least her reading nook was still there. The rest of the furniture had been either updated or replaced with tasteful, grown-up selections that made Frigga feel as if she were looking at a textbook about interior design. She got the feeling her aunt was making a much bigger deal out of her return than necessary, but it was nice to feel welcome.    Frigga took off her jacket and shoes, placed them by the dressing table for Doris to put away, and looked out the window. It overlooked the driveway and west side of the grounds. It was newly manicured and Frigga looked forward to getting down in that dirt. She wanted to throw off all her clothes and roll around in the grass right that instant, but she was entirely sure that wouldn’t be appreciated by her aunt. Still, Frigga took note of all the plants visible from her window before falling onto her bed for a lie down.    Doris, a woman with thick brown hair tucked into a bonnet and a figure shaped like a pine tree with the height to match, came in to check on her a few times over the course of the afternoon, bringing tea and light refreshments early on, and Frigga found her attendant well-informed about the comings and goings of the coven’s families. Suspiciously well-informed, even for a servant. The woman updated her about how the coven families had fared during her time away, and Frigga was eager to see everyone again after three and a half years. She wondered how her friend Luna Cromwell was doing, she’d gotten married two years ago, and how much the youngest Heir Apparent, Celeste Downspire, had grown. Leland had grown up too. He was eight already, just last month had been his birthday. He’d been just under four when she left, a lifetime ago it seemed now. She wanted to catch up and get to know her brother, so she’d go and visit him properly after dinner and then report in with her aunt afterwards.    Frigga took dinner in her room and then walked down the hallway, peeking into Leland’s room. He was pale and freckled like she was, and his mop of curls were the same rusty hue. Someone had already changed Leland into his nightclothes, though he wasn’t at all ready for sleep. He excitedly showed his newly returned sister all his favourite toys and a few small figures that had been whittled for him by one of the servants. A bear, a cat, some of them were better than others, but it was sweet how the boy lined them all up with care on his bedside table. He’d even named a few of them (Antonio the cat and Lopez the stag). Frigga was relieved to find that her little brother was a normal, happy kid; when she had been his age she knew she was destined to be the family’s Heir as she was the sole child in her generation at the time. Having been exclusively raised by their aunt, Frigga worried how Leland would end up, but apparently she doted on Leland and didn’t push him like she did Frigga.    It helped that Leland wasn’t a witch, or not that they knew yet. Usually children with magic would show signs of the gift around the age of five or six, Frigga had been four, but it wasn’t unheard of that children as old as nine were confirmed. Leland didn’t seem to feel bad about his lack of magical gifts, for which Frigga was profoundly grateful. She was twelve years older than him, and the two of them hadn’t been close before Frigga went to school, but she loved him and wanted him to feel safe and secure.    She sat with him for about an hour before leaving to visit with Sapphire. Despite his squawks of protest, she kissed him on the top of his head before walking down the next hall to the private office and generous library. As she walked down the halls, Frigga took note of other changes her aunt made to the manor. The carpets had been replaced, the torch sconces were changed too and were slimmer and looked less like a haunted castle. A few of the console tables had ornate vases filled with flowers that freshened up the house, and though it was dark outside the hallways were lit with new light orbs that floated leisurely about near the ceilings. If Frigga remembered correctly, weren’t those an invention of Lady Mildred Crestfall, the Head of Household who specialized in elemental magic, from a few years back?    She knocked on the office door and was invited in. Sapphire rose from her desk to greet her niece and the two embraced in a warm hug. “Auntie, thank you for refreshing my room,” Frigga said, figuring that it was better to be gracious than complain. She had actually preferred the light, cheerful pinks from before, but blue was the family colour and it was more grown up, so it was probably more suitable this way.     Sapphire was taller than Frigga by about a head, everyone was taller than Frigga, and she was the very picture one might imagine when thinking of the word “noble”. She’d gone grey early in her forties, shortly after she’d become the coven’s leader, and her wavy hair was always kept in a low bun. Sapphire had an entirely different complexion than her charges, still fair but evenly toned, and her skin was soft like down. “I’m glad you like it, Dear,” she replied, her voice warm. “Welcome home. Here, let’s sit down and have the ladies bring up some fresh tea.”    They sat in a pair of firm brocade armchairs beside the fireplace on the right side of the room and there was a small chestnut tea table between them for just this kind of occasion. Soon enough, they were provided with a fresh pot of herbal tea. Spearmint with honey was exactly the brew Frigga had needed, the refreshing scent clarified her mind. Once they were comfortable, Sapphire started business talk, and her tone refined into something more clinical. “I want you to feel settled, but there’s a lot to come in the next few months. Next week we have your welcome home party and then the week after we have Fenrir Cromwell’s. I’ve also been expecting new study material to arrive any day, it should have been here last week but it was delayed by the thunderstorms.”    Frigga nodded. “That’s alright, there’s plenty here to get me started. I’m excited to see the coven, I’ve missed everyone! And I’m excited to share my illusion work with them.”    “I’m sure everyone is excited to hear all about it. I was speaking with Marceline the other day, and she was saying Luna was interested in your work. As my Heir Apparent, I expect you to share your knowledge, though, if I might make a suggestion,” she leaned in with a conspiratorial smirk, “I would keep a few secrets to yourself if I were you.”    Frigga tilted her head. “Why?”    Sapphire chuckled. “It’s always smart to have a few tricks up your sleeve, especially as you won’t be made an official coven member for four months yet. Best have a few last-resorts just in case you need to impress somebody.” Sapphire sipped at her tea before continuing. “Theodore is also going to be visiting tomorrow, possibly with Marcus. You remember him right?”    “Yes, of course!” she said, smiling warmly. Marcus Magnus-Monroe was a few years older than her, but he was a social savant so they’d become friends as soon as he’d returned home from school five years ago. They also attended dance classes under the same tutor, though never in the same group. “Is Theodore coming on business or for a personal visit?”    Sapphire sipped at her tea and set it down. “A bit of both. His letter said he was excited to see you again, but he also wanted to contribute to your party next week, generous man.”    The Thornehearts and Magnus-Monroes descended from the same coven founder, although distantly, but the Magnus-Monroe family hadn’t been able to officially be part of the coven for about one hundred years; The family’s magic had died out shortly after the coven was founded. It was around that same time, however, that a mine the family owned a few towns over struck literal gold so they were still intimately connected with the group. They could have regained entry into the coven by marrying into magic and revitalizing the family’s magical potential, but the family favoured genuine connections over political ones where their personal lives were concerned so it hadn’t happened. Magic or not, Frigga was always delighted to have them around, Marcus in particular. She had truly missed his uncomplicated friendliness and cheerful affect.    Sapphire asked her niece about her time at school in more detail. They’d written often, but only so much fit in a letter. Frigga told her all about her studies and how she’d graduated top of her year. She told her aunt about her favourite classes (Illusion Work and Herbalism), about the connections she’d made (though she left out the intimate nature of her relationship with the mayor of Elderburgh’s daughter), and what she was excited about studying further (celestial summoning and the family’s secret curative recipes). She was filled in further about the coven’s different families, how the children were growing up, and who’d married who. She was grieved to hear that Jun Bloodswell, the Bloodswell Head of Household’s husband, had died a year ago leaving behind Victoria and their Heir Rosalind. Considering the Bloodswells and Thornehearts were not on the best terms historically, not to mention Victoria was specifically on grievously bad terms with Sapphire, Frigga made up her mind to put in some extra attention there when she could. Some kindness might help mend the sore spot.    They talked longer than Frigga had expected, and it was such a lovely evening. Even so, a small knot of anxiety began to knit in her stomach; she loved her coven, but it was a lot to keep track of. She was doubly exhausted by now, so she took the clock’s 9:00 chime as her cue to retire. After one more quick hug, Frigga adjourned to her room. She wasn’t a morning or night person, she was happiest and most energetic in the afternoon, but it was still a bit earlier than Frigga usually went to bed. Into bed she went, however, delighted to finally collapse. With the busy days ahead of her, she would need the extra rest. Doris left a glass of fresh water at her bedside and a night dress out for her to change herself into, though help was easily summoned if needed. She usually had help dressing, but Frigga was so tired she decided to do it herself. Unlike her day-to-day clothes, the sleep dress was simple enough that she could easily slip into it, it was undressing and undoing all the laces that was the difficulty. After laying the day’s clothes out on the dressing table to be taken and cleaned, she slid the fresh cotton sleep dress over her shoulders and savoured how comfortable and soft it was. She then slid into bed, cast a spell to extinguish all her lights, and fell asleep instantly. 

   But she did not sleep through the night. She fell asleep easily but woke up at 2:00 and then again at 3:00. At 5:30 she woke from a nightmare so severe she decided it was worth a trip to the kitchen to clear her head. There wouldn’t be anyone there at this hour, she would have to find some milk or soothing tea for herself. It might be difficult to find anything, Frigga had rarely visited the kitchens before she’d gone to school, so finding something would be a chore. At least it would be a distraction from the recurring bad dreams.    She put on her slippers and lacy house coat, tying it at the waist, and slipped out the door and down the stairs. As Frigga walked to the kitchen, she mentally sorted through what she remembered of it and was confident she’d manage on her own, but when she opened the door she found she wasn’t alone.    In the midst of the kitchen stood a tall woman Frigga vaguely recognized with sepia skin and black hair shorter than most men’s. She wore an old, stained apron over simple worker’s clothes and her trousers were tucked into steel-toed boots with the stretched-out raggedy laces tied around each ankle. Apparently she’d been gathering up ingredients and baking tools from different cabinets when the heiress surprised her. She stood between the industrial stovetop and a substantial island, and she’d brought out one of two stools from its place at the counter’s opposite side.    Frigga wanted to shrink back but she’d already been spotted. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know anyone was here!” she apologized, her hand rising to fiddle with the thin golden chain necklace she wore.    “No no! Come on in, Miss. You alrigh’?” The woman looked at Frigga, a soft concern in her eyes, and put her things on the island.    Frigga’s heart rate spiked, but she cautiously approached. The woman was quite broad and, while she was wearing loose-fit clothing to get messy in under the apron, Frigga noticed she had the most gorgeous sculpted shoulders and deliciously defined arms. Must be really good at baking bread. “Y-yes, I had a hard time sleeping.”    “Tha’s rough,” the woman replied as she pulled the other stool out and brought it to the island’s edge nearest to Frigga before turning back to the stove where a kettle had begun to sing. “Come on, I’ll make you some tea or somethin’.” She took it off the heat, pulled out a calming tea from a nearby cabinet, and began fixing it like she’d performed this ritual a hundred times; scoop the tea leaves from an air-tight tin into a basket, place the basket into a mug, and submerge it with the steaming water.    Frigga wandered over to the stool and hopped onto it, fumbling slightly, but the woman politely ignored her misstep. “Thank you. Razi, right?” She leaned her elbows on the island’s top as she watched the servant work.    A look of surprise jumped onto the taller woman’s face. “Must ‘av a good memory, you were gone a while.” Her voice was confident and playful, and Frigga’s heart skipped a beat.    “Your father worked for us, right? I think?” she asked.    Razi measured out a small spoonful of honey and stirred before placing the cup of honeyed chamomile next to Frigga on the corner of countertop between them with an impressed smile. “Wow, correct again. Here you go.”    “Thank you.”    “Careful, Miss, ’s pretty hot.” Razi leaned in and blew softly over the glass. She was so close. Her lashes were as long as a river and an aura of warm ambers and the sweetness of rum and vanilla surrounded her. She smelled amazing. “Lemme guess, nightmares?”    “W-what?”    Razi smirked before turned to fix herself a much stronger cup of tea. “You looked like you’d seen a ghost an’ only crazy people are up this early if they don’t gotta be.”    Frigga’s brain finally restarted and she blinked. “Oh,” she said intelligently.    “Sorry, I don’t mean to pry, Miss.”    “No it’s not that. But yes, I’ve had them ever since I was small.”    Razi pulled up another stool closer to the witch, her own cup of tea in her hands, and sat a respectful distance away. A little too far for Frigga’s taste. “Don’t they got a spell or potion for tha’? You magical types seem t’ ‘av remedies for everythin’, and they say you’re real gifted.”    Frigga looked down into her mug as she felt her cheeks warm. “I don’t know about that. I think people give me too much credit sometimes.”    Razi smiled slyly over the rim of her mug. “Well, y’seem like the gods’ gift to me.”    Frigga laughed and looked at Razi with a mischievous grin of her own. “Did you come up with that one yourself? Are you proud of it?”    Razi’s smile turned into a bashful grin. “I’ve certainly come up wit better, you’re absolutely right. Three for three.”    Frigga took a sip, careful of its temperature but found it perfect. “There are some things you can do for nightmares but… none of them ever help. I’m always stressed out so whenever I do anything for sleep, magical or not, the nightmares are never gone long.”    “Stressed? ‘Bout what?”    Frigga gestured vaguely towards the rest of the house. “All… this.”    Razi faltered and her eyes narrowed slightly. “Isn’t it what you love?”    “It’s a lot.” Frigga sighed as her gaze fell to the floor.    Razi leaned her elbows on the counter and looked Frigga up and down, letting a small beat pass. “I’da never known. You seem th’ type t’ have everything lined up proper.”    Frigga grimaced. “I haven’t a choice. I have to have everything perfect all the time because people rely on me. My aunt makes sure I know that, but,” she looked past Razi to the window where the forest was barely visible in the early morning sunlight. “I would much rather go outside.”    Razi blinked, her eyes flashed to the door and then back. “Outside?”    Frigga looked back at Razi. The woman’s full lips were slightly parted and she had the loveliest hazel eyes. Oh dear, that wasn’t something she should be noticing about a staff member. “Plants make me happy.”    “Isn’t your family all ‘bout the moon’s timing and circles? Th’ boss always has me rearrangin’ furniture to be ‘in phase’ or whatever.”    Frigga shrugged, tearing her eyes away from Razi’s. “Yes, and it has always come naturally to me, but it was never… Sorry, I don’t mean to bore you.” Her cheeks were even warmer now, and Frigga prayed that she wasn’t blushing.    “No s’fine. I guess I get it.”    Frigga tilted her head, unsure what this unnaturally attractive woman was relating to. “Really? You appear to be at home in the kitchen here, is there something you’d rather do?”    Razi snickered and Frigga tried to restrain a grin. Another terrible joke was coming, she just knew it, so she held her breath in anticipation. “I won’t complain, things are great round ‘ere, but it does get lonely ‘round this mansion. I gotta go into town if I wan’ visit my girls, so, y’know, that’s what I’d rather… do.”    Frigga giggled, shook her head. “No wife? Or, I guess not a husband?”    Razi shook her head. “Do I look th’ type to cater t’ boys, Miss? I expected better from you, you’ve ruined your streak!”    Frigga grinned shyly. “I didn’t want to assume.”    Razi leaned in a little closer, and the woman’s spicy aura washed over her again. “Assume away.”    Frigga hesitated, looking Razi up and down briefly. Her eyes skirted over the woman’s biceps and shoulders, appreciating them again, and she landed on the woman’s hands. They were so much larger than Frigga’s, and the witch could see from here they were the servant’s primary tools. What else might those hands be used for? Frigga forced her eyes away before she could be caught staring, but she was certainly blushing now. “I assume you like to bake bread?”    Razi burst in a full-bellied laugh, caught off guard. “Ah yes, look at ‘er, that cut and short nails, must love to bake bread. 'S that what they’re calling it these days?” Frigga giggled and Razi shook her head in good humour. “Please ignore me, Miss. I don’t mean t’ offend. I like t’ think I’m ‘armless.”    Frigga smirked and side-eyed Razi. “I don’t believe you at all. Should I ask your girls how harmless you are?”    Razi jumped off the stool and took an exaggerated bow, her expression much too serious to be serious. “I am as innocent as th’ dove, sweet princess. Heart is pure as gold, I swear, my maidens in ye olde town of Honeyshore would speak highly of my intentions!”    Frigga tried in vain to suppress a laugh, though she managed to tease between giggles, “Those intentions better be noble or else there will be consequences, ma’am.”    Razi looked back up at Frigga with a boyish smirk. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, Miss.”    She held out her hand. “Call me Frigga.”    Razi took it up with her calloused hand and pressed her full, soft lips to the witch’s knuckles. “Frigga.”    She wanted to stay and talk to Razi longer, but she also wanted to be considerate of the woman’s time and Frigga had a suspicion she’d be a distraction if she stayed. The tea she’d been given helped, so she wandered back up to her bedroom. As she slid back under her covers, she replayed their conversation and smiled to herself. If she had known someone so gorgeous was going to be at home she would have made a better effort to visit. She brushed her lips at the place where Razi’s had kissed her hand and heard the rough woman’s voice repeating her name. Frigga’s heart did a flip and her stomach tingled. She shouldn’t be entertaining these impulses.    But Razi was charming and thoughtful, had made Frigga laugh and not taken her too seriously. The irreverent humour had put Frigga at ease, even if she suspected the woman had been buttering her up just a little bit. She was definitely the type to be popular with girls, that was obvious. Maybe Razi wouldn’t mind spending more time together. Could Frigga come up with some excuse to see her again? That was such a bad idea. Really? She couldn’t be home a single day without forming some ill-advised crush on a staff member? A very lovely, very muscular, very charming staff member.     It was a lost cause already.    Frigga pushed a pillow over her face and whined into it. Maybe this horrifyingly inappropriate crush would fizzle after Frigga got settled and die down on its own.    But it did not, in fact, die down.

[laragazzadalledolcilacrime]

Ciao a tutti✨️

Ho appena pubblicato la prima parte del mio nuovo libro "Nastro di seta blu" aspetto i vostri feedback

[markwatsonsbooks]

#Amreading#Newrelease: Finding My Voice: A Journey Through Stuttering by Oliver Bluehaven

Order YOUR Copy NOW: https://amzn.to/46VELW2 via @amazon

[hamoudablog]

Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) by Greg Miles Three of these critically endangered birds have shown up on the NSW Central Coast. It was great to watch them hawking for insects from a stand of Casuarina trees. https://flic.kr/p/2gz7JVc

[queensherlocks]

Hay ihr Lieben! ❤️

Ich bin heute ab 16 Uhr Live auf Twitch und würde mich freuen euch zu Lesen, wir Spielen Sims und bekommen Vampire Zwillinge, später bauen wir dir Ranch weiter.

Mein Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/sherlockandme?sr=a

und denkt daran Part 3 vom Country Side LP ist schon draußen ❤️

Ich wollte euch auch noch Informieren das Freitag Part 4 vom Country Side Lp kommt und Sonntag Part 5 und ab nächste Woche kommt dann jeden Mittwoch mein anderes Lets Play Bluehaven und Freitag/Sonntag dann Country Side, schaut doch auch mal in mein Bluehaven Lp rein ❤️ CC Videos kommen dann außer der reihe wenn ich welche schaffe, Ideen gerne hier!

Lisa ❤️

[mossmarsh]

AMAZING! love reading infodumps like this. the backstories are all so interesting, i'd also love to hear more about bluehaven and palestar!

leaders, deputies and healers (redraw)

huge, and I mean MASSIVE infodump under the cut, watch out!!

LEADERS

Palestar (she/her), Leader of Stormclan - Palestar’s backstory is one shrouded in mystery. All that is known about her ascent to leadership is that she killed the previous Stormclan leader - Creekstar - who was known as a callous tyrant. Rumours ooze around the festering wound that Creekstar left in her clan, and whilst her fellow leaders are viciously curious about the events that lead to her annointment as leader, Palestar is thoroughly tight-lipped about it all. 

Ouzelstar (he/him), Leader of Snowclan - A traditionalist and a shithead. Ouzelstar was a virulent warrior, intent on keeping his clan free from anything he believed would threaten the tradition that Snowclan had supposedly stood on for so many years. As leader, his cutthroat attitude has calmed a bit, mostly due to his fears over dividing his clan any further - though he is not above putting down cats he deems ‘lesser’, such as his deputy, Kestrel, whom he named Half-face. 

Dapplestar, (he/him) Leader of Gladeclan - The oldest of the leaders and a gentle soul. Dapplestar has had the fortune of leading Gladeclan through many of its most comfortable seasons, and as such has adopted a very mellow outlook on life. His indecisive attitude has troubled them, however, when choosing deputies. After struggling for many moons with cats who wanted to abuse power and ignore duties (or those who were very obviously just waiting for him to keel over), he sought guidance from his ancestors. Lionsong was appointed deputy after Starclan named him as the future saviour of the clan. Knowing that a prophecy has named Lionsong as his successor, and confident in his abilities to lead, Dapplestar is ready to retire and live out the last of his days in the warmth of his clan. 

Sandstar (they/them), Leader of Meadowclan - It is difficult to describe Sandstar without using the word ‘bitchy’. Taking their assessment at an exceptionally young age and then going on to become deputy and leader, Sandstar has earned the confidence and precedence they carry themselves with - not that it doesn’t annoy their fellow leaders somewhat. Despite all their pride and gumption, they regularly find themselves bored by the toils of leadership and often delegate their duties to their worrywart deputy, Ravenshine. They have two mates, Mothswoop and Appledawn. 

DEPUTIES

Bluehaven (he/him), Stormclan’s Deputy - In the aftermath of Creekstar’s rule and Palestar’s rise to power, Stormclan was weakened and divided. In-fighting began to stir between those who supported and those who opposed Palestar’s leadership, and to quell this discord Palestar appointed Bluehaven, one of her most outspoken opposers, as deputy. Despite his objections to her leadership, Bluehaven was shaken by Palestar’s decision, initially believing it to be a trick, and later, a test of his loyalty. He warmed up to his new role after Palestar made further efforts to rebuild her clan, including pardoning exiled cats and banning the murder of rogues (an action that Creekstar had permitted). Nowadays his relationship with Palestar is tense but professional - though there are rumours she only made him deputy because she knows he won’t usurp her like she had to Creekstar. 

Kestrel (he/him), Snowclan’s Deputy - Kestrel was born in Stormclan to Pineshadow and an unknown father. Not long before his apprentice ceremony, his mother fled their home, taking him to Snowclan. There, Ouzelstar took him in, whilst his mother was turned away into the frozen wilds. From a young age Kestrel demonstrated an intuition and selflessness beyond his age - he was left significantly scarred after defending his clanmate from a badger. Though most of his clanmates afforded him sympathy and admiration for this action, there were others who were angered by it - namely Ouzelstar, who would give Kestrel the warrior name ‘Half-face’. Kestrel went on to become deputy after Thawflank stepped down to care for his son and grieve his mate, and remained in the role long after this once Ouzelstar realised his competency far exceeded Thawflank’s (and he didn’t argue with him like Thawflank did). As deputy, he puts his duties above all else, especially any personal grudges he might harbour. 

Lionsong (he/him), Gladeclan’s Deputy - Lionsong suffered a rough childhood, one that he still occasionally blames himself for. Having lost both his parents at a young age, in different ways, Lionsong grew up under the guidance of his mentor, Brightnettle. As an adult, Lionsong has committed himself to serving his clan to the best of his ability, and is known by his clanmates to be resolute but compassionate - making him a perfect candidate for deputy. Having been named by Starclan as the ‘saviour of his clan’, Lionsong wonders what lies in his future, and whether his future role as leader could clash with the actions required of a hero. He has a mate named Ashfall. 

Ravenshine (she/her), Meadowclan’s Deputy - Born a kittypet and abandoned by her owners, Ravenshine struggled to adapt to a life of scavenging on the streets of her twoleg-place. She found Meadowclan after trying her luck hunting in the fringes of the town and stumbling across a border patrol. Desperate and hungry, she was prepared to fight these new, strange cats for her dinner, but was surprised when they invited her to their clan. She found the warrior life suited her well (though she is prone to sunburn more than the average Meadowclan cat, due to her lack of fur) and quickly earned the trust of Sandstar. She enjoys organisation and strategising, both of which make her suited to her role as deputy - though she does have a bad habit of over-worrying, something that isn’t helped by her leader’s lackadaisical antics. She has a crush on her clanmate, Flaxeneye. 

HEALERS

Lichenfrost (she/her), Stormclan’s Healer - Lichenfrost is unusually friendly for a Stormclan cat. She was apprenticed to Frostwhisker, a key figure in the turmoil Stormclan experienced under Creekstar’s leadership, until his brutal death at the claws of a clanmate. Lichenfrost was understandably devastated, having witnessed it with her own eyes, and struggled for many moons as her clan’s sole healer. Whilst the bright sting of shock has long since left, she still finds herself struggling under the weight of her grief from time to time, a feeling she mostly tries to battle with a warm smile and a good talk, and maybe only occasionally some poppyseed. 

Berrystem (she/her), Snowclan’s Healer - Berrystem apprenticed under Cedarsmoke, a quiet and often unsettling cat. Almost as soon as she had earned her name, he left the clan, saying goodbye only to her. As an apprentice, Berrystem was fiercely passionate about her duties, finding solace in healing clanmates and peace in having time to herself - not to mention, a small part of her was both humbled and thrilled by the importance of her role. As she got older, however, her devotion began to waver - and almost faltered completely when the Blight hit her clan. After the death of both her apprentice, Mumblepaw, and her brother’s mate, Tumblestone, Berrystem travelled to the Peak and begged her ancestors for something, anything she could do to save her clanmates. She was met with silence. Distraught and hopeless, Berrystem started avoiding her clanmates out of guilt, spending all her time in her den tending to the dying. When the Blight finally began to clear in the warmer months, the damage was done; their small clan was smaller and Berrystem believed it was all due to her. Losing her brother to his grief and her friends to their duties, Berrystem found an unlikely bond with the only other cat who felt ostracised from the clan; Martenfur. The two would soon form a warm friendship, with Martenfur often helping Berrystem fetch those herbs that were just a little too tall for her to reach. 

Littleshadow (she/her), Gladeclan’s Healer - Littleshadow became a healer far later in her life than most cats. She was 40 moons when the clan’s current healer, Duskfoot, died suddenly in a dog attack. Having been the only cat with a higher-than-average knowledge of herbs and remedies, Littleshadow stepped in to help her clan. Trained mostly by Beechbark, Littleshadow quickly learnt the ways of a healer and took up the role full-time - leaving her mate, Cindertail, behind. 

Beechbark (he/him), Meadowclan’s Healer - Beechbark is the oldest of the current healers, having outlived not only his mentor but the clan’s previous leader. Despite this, he refuses to pick an apprentice on the principle that none of his clan’s current young ‘uns show enough respect and diligence for his liking. His clanmates fear that he’ll die before taking an apprentice, and his clan will be left healer-less like Gladeclan had been. Little do they know, Beechbark fears that if his clan has a newer, younger healer then they’ll see no use for him, and usher him off to the elder’s den. He’s not ready to give up his role just yet. 

[vibrantaustralia-blog1]

So beautiful small river #CataractGorgeReserve is near by  This is #Launceston’s city centre. 🤯#Australia #seeaustralia  #travel #photography #PhotoOfTheDay #reaver #beautiful #naturephotography #nature #naturelovers #INDvAUS #AUSvIND #honeymoon #holidays Honeymoon in Australia http://www.vibrantaustralia.com